Funeral plans announced for deceased Rincon officer

The Rincon Police Department will say a final goodbye to a brother in blue this Saturday at funeral services for Corporal Dennis Badger.

Badger, 57, died on Dec. 29 after a long bout with colon cancer.

Badger was a military veteran and a veteran of the Rincon Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff's Office and had a brief stint with the Savannah-Chatham Metro Department.

Badger's funeral will be held at Rincon First Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Jan. 5. Viewing will be held on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., also at the church. Funeral plans include an honor guard and a law enforcement procession to the grave side at Effingham Memorial Gardens on Ga. 119.

Badger came to the Rincon Police Department in 2005 after working as an Effingham County Sheriff's Deputy from 2003 to 2005.

Badger's work ethic and his battle against cancer was an inspiration for many, fellow officer Sgt. Jose Ramirez said.

"He never wanted to be treated differently," Ramirez said.

"A lot of people didn't know he actually had the disease," Scholl said. "He was such a fighter. He didn't want anybody to know, he didn't ask for sympathy, he didn't ask for any handouts."

Rincon City Planner LaMeisha Kelly said Badger was a great person to work with and a strong man.

"Dennis was the epitome of strength throughout this whole time," Kelly said. "He believed in being a police officer. He always said if people broke the rules in Rincon he was going to get them. We even nicknamed him Shaft."

Ramirez said Badger became a father figure to him.

"Dennis touched many hearts," Ramirez said. "And he had a relationship with Jesus Christ."

Ramirez said he last saw Badger the day before he died.

"He was still able to bring a smile to others," Ramirez said.

Ramirez said Badger always looked for the positive, even when he was very sick. Ramirez is confident Badger is still thinking of others.

"I know we now have an angel looking down and keeping us out of harm's way."

Scholl said the department was grateful for the strong community support shown through two fund raisers held late last year for Badger's family. Over $16,000 was raised.